The Green Bay Packers are busy collecting guards, and they might not be done yet.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers hosted free agent Kevin Zeitler for a visit on Tuesday. And it's about time.
At the time of writing, the Packers haven't signed Zeitler, and Silverstein estimates that doing so would likely cost around $6-8 million. That's a price worth paying if it helps solve the biggest offensive line mess this team has seen in years.
Zeitler could follow Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton through the doors of 1265 Lombardi Ave, and it would likely end the Jacob Monk experiment once and for all.
The impact Kevin Zeitler could have on Packers' offensive line (and Jacob Monk)
General manager Brian Gutekunst hasn't said a word publicly, but his recent moves clearly indicate what he feels about the offensive line. He is dramatically changing course after overlooking the problem in the offseason.
The Packers have already added Tomlinson to the 53-man roster and Becton to the practice squad. Zeitler would give them another highly experienced guard to plug in immediately.
It could spell the end for Monk. It doesn't necessarily mean the team would release him (though that shouldn't be ruled out), but he seems to be sliding further down the depth chart by the day.
Per Pro Football Focus, Monk has surrendered 11 pressures, five quarterback hits, and one sack through three weeks. He received a woeful 21.6 PFF pass-blocking grade in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and his overall pass-blocking grade for the season ranks 63rd among 73 qualifying guards.
Zeitler would immediately become the starter.
A Pro Bowler in 2023, Zeitler would add 71 starts and 13,995 snaps of experience to the Packers' offensive line. For perspective, Green Bay's Week 3 starting line has played a combined 4,221 NFL snaps.
Although Zeitler is 36 and likely in decline, he proved he could still play at a high level last season. Zeitler was PFF's 13th-ranked guard and particularly effective in pass protection, ranking ninth.
How Kevin Zeitler could impact the Packers' depth chart
The Packers could go from a highly inexperienced offensive line to one of the league's most experienced seemingly overnight. It's truly unheard of to see the Packers, a strong draft-and-develop team, enter panic mode in September. But they have no choice.
Projected Packers depth chart if they sign Kevin Zeitler
Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
LT | Jordan Morgan | John Williams |
LG | Aaron Banks | Laken Tomlinson |
C | Sean Rhyan | Jager Burton |
RG | Kevin Zeitler | Mekhi Becton |
RT | Anthony Belton | Mekhi Becton |
Laken Tomlinson could start at left guard, potentially depending on Aaron Banks' injury status. We can assume Jager Burton and Donovan Jennings are no longer in line for a starting job. Zeitler would take the right guard job, a position Mekhi Becton can also play. That would give Green Bay two viable options ahead of Monk.
Becton is on the Packers' practice squad, suggesting he's not a guarantee to receive a call-up to start. That could depend on how quickly he learns the playbook.
Becton's best position is right guard, where he helped the Philadelphia Eagles win a Super Bowl two years ago, although he also has experience at tackle. It's not out of the question that Green Bay could give him a chance at right tackle ahead of Anthony Belton.
Gutekunst is quickly reversing course after a disastrous opening three games from the offensive line. He's throwing money at the problem.
Time will tell if they ultimately sign Zeitler. If he looks good in the workout, why not? He performed at a high level last season and would give the Packers the stability they desperately need.
None of these moves would turn Green Bay's line into a strength, but it would suddenly look far better than it did a week ago.
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